Sheldon Adelson: Iran talks need bomb demo

Republican mega donor Sheldon Adelson suggested firing a nuclear weapon to send a message to Iran and slammed the White House over negotiations with the country.

Asked if he would support negotiations if Iran ceased nuclear enrichment programs Adelson said, “What are we going to negotiate about? What I would say is, ‘Listen, you see that desert out there? I want to show you something.’…You pick up your cell phone and you call somewhere in Nebraska and you say, ‘OK let it go,’” according to video posted by Mondoweiss, a progressive Jewish news website.

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“So there’s an atomic weapon, goes over ballistic missiles, in the middle of the desert, that doesn’t hurt a soul. Maybe a couple of rattlesnakes and scorpions or whatever,” he added.

He continued: “And then you say, ‘See! The next one is in the middle of Tehran. So, we mean business. You want to be wiped out? Go ahead and take a tough position and continue with your nuclear development.’”

Adelson, according to Mondoweiss, was speaking at an event on Tuesday in New York with Rabbi Shmuley Boteach entitled, “Will Jews Exist? Iran, Assimilation and the Threat to Israel and Jewish Survival.”

The Republican billionaire said the U.S. speaking to Iran is “the worst negotiating tactic I could ever imagine.” He added that it “absolutely” demonstrates weakness.

“He’s not saying to them, ‘Roll back your entire program and show that you’re willing to be peaceful. So, roll it all back if that’s what you’re gonna — and we’ll roll back the sanctions.’ So what is that, a game of chicken, who’s going to blink first?’” Adelson asked.